Lawyer Everett L. Hollis, 79

Among First To Visit New China

October 20, 1994|By Kenan Heise, Tribune Staff Writer.

Everett L. Hollis, 79, a retired partner in the law firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt, became in 1972 one of the first American businessmen to visit China after the easing of travel restrictions. He was the former general counsel for the Atomic Energy Commission and former general counsel for General Electric Co.

A resident of North Lake Shore Drive, he died Oct. 13 in Brentwood North nursing home in Riverwoods.

Mr. Hollis, a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., graduated from the University of Illinois School of Commerce and Harvard Law School. He served as a law clerk to Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice H.T. Lummus.

After serving as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II, he joined the legal staff of the Office of Price Administration and then of the Atomic Energy Commission, later becoming its general counsel.

He was a member of the legal staff of General Electric from 1952 to 1965. He then joined Mayer, Brown & Platt, where he served on its management committee.

Mr. Hollis was one of five Americans selected to visit China and to make arrangements for an American tour by the Peking Ballet.

In an interview in Peking, he praised the Chinese with whom he met for their "obvious honesty and sincerity."

He was the joint author of several books, including: "Congress and the Public Trust," "Privacy and Freedom," "Foundations, Private Giving and Public Policy" and "Conflict of Interest and Public Service."

Survivors include his wife, Jane; two sons, Nicholas and Benjamin; a daughter, Mary Eaton; two stepdaughters, Catherine Staton and Rev. Nancy Farrell; a stepson, Thomas Farrell; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service for Mr. Hollis will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the University Club of Chicago, 71 E. Monroe St.